Carex Ice Dance

Description

Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ – Japanese sedge

Botanical name: Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’
Common names: Japanese sedge
Family: Cyperaceae (sedge family)
Plant type: Evergreen sedge
Habit: Spreading, mat-forming groundcover
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 30–40cm tall × 45cm+ spread (spreads gently by rhizomes)
Foliage: Broad, arching dark green leaves crisply edged with white; evergreen
Flowers: Insignificant brownish flower spikes; grown for its foliage
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to full shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, humus-rich; tolerates a range of soils; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 5–9
Exposure: Sheltered or open
Native range: Selected form; the species is native to Japan
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ is a tough, spreading evergreen sedge with broad, white-edged dark green leaves, forming excellent groundcover. Superb for shade, difficult spots and weed-suppressing carpets.

GardenAdvice notes

Unlike the clump-forming sedges, ‘Ice Dance’ spreads gently by underground rhizomes to form a dense, weed-suppressing carpet of broad, arching, white-edged evergreen leaves. Exceptionally tough and shade-tolerant, it is one of the best sedges for groundcover in difficult, shady spots, and stays bright and fresh all year.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil, in full sun to full shade. Space about 40cm apart; it establishes into a neat clump. Improve very dry or very wet ground before planting. Being a spreader, allow room for it to knit together into groundcover, or contain it where its spread is not wanted.

Care & maintenance

Sedges are not cut hard to the ground like many grasses. Instead, in spring comb through the clump with gloved fingers or a spring-tined rake to pull out the dead leaves, and trim off any tatty foliage; a very untidy plant can be cut back harder to encourage fresh growth. Water in dry spells, as most sedges dislike drying out, and divide congested clumps in spring.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide clumps in spring — quick, easy and the standard method.
• Seed: Species can be raised from seed, though named forms are best from division.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Aphids occasionally occur, and clumps can rot or die out in the centre in cold, wet, poorly drained conditions. Good drainage and combing out dead growth keep plants healthy.

Uses in the garden

Superb as evergreen, weed-suppressing groundcover in sun or shade, under trees and shrubs, on shady banks and in difficult spots, and for edging and mass planting.

Wildlife value

The dense tufts provide ground-level cover for insects and small creatures, and sedges support a range of wildlife in damp and naturalistic plantings.

Toxicity & safety

Sedges are generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Ice Dance’ is the sedge to choose when you want groundcover rather than a single clump — it creeps gently to weave a bright, white-edged evergreen carpet, and it’s tough enough for dry-ish shade under trees where little else thrives. Give it room to spread, or edge it in if you’d rather keep it in bounds.

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